Ust-Barguzin in winter

An epic trip to Ust-Barguzin is one of the most asked trips. The lake completely freezes only by the end of January. This is when we start having ice experience tours on it, it’s possible to drive on it, to see ice grottos, to have hot springs thermal baths open-air for contrast and everything that you can imagine to do on ice.

Physical rating:Light walking suitable for most fitness levels, it can be slippery (you may use light crampons). The only challenge can be negative temperatures. Mostly we spend indoors or inside heated vehicles. See the list of “Survival things to take”

Temperature: from 0 to -30 Celsius. From bright sun in a daytime to the cold wind. Nighttime can drop the temperature down to 15 degrees colder than daytime. Although it’s dry cold which feels less stressful than humid.

Service features:All our vehicles are equipped with winter tires, have heaters and are soft seaters. The condition of road is reasonably smooth. Only experienced local drivers on specially equipped russian army vans drive on the surface of ice. Accommodation is all heated and it’s warm. During our tour you always have opportunity to warm up inside a car or a house.

Itinerary “Ust-Barguzin WINTER” 1 day:

Day 1. Morning start to lake Baikal. A few stops on the way at Turtle Rock and shamanistic Oboo. Lunch on the way in local cafe at the shore of the lake. Entering Zabaikalsky National Park, drive on ice, visit Ice Grottos, seeing high mountain of Holy Nose. Drive back. L

What’s important: Can be a challenging long day. More than 620 km of driving this day.

Itinerary “Ust-Barguzin WINTER” 2 days/1 night:

Day 1. Morning start to lake Baikal. A few stops on the way at Batutinsky female Monastery, Turtle Rock and shamanistic Oboo. Lunch on the way in local cafe at the shore of the lake. There can be stops on demand for picture, we’ll recommend you where the best to stop. By the end of the day the local family at the village will welcome to their home and treat you with home food. And of course you will try a real russian Banya, traditional steam sauna. LD

Day 2. Start in the morning to Zabaikalsky National Park. Every year it’s different and our experienced guides and local drivers will take you to the best sights. Drive on ice, visit Ice Grottos, have an open-air bath in thermal water! Lunch-picnic. Back to Ust-Barguzin. Drive back to Ulan-Ude. BLD

What’s important: intense program on day 2. Expected arrival time to Ulan-Ude is 10pm.

Itinerary “Ust-Barguzin WINTER” 3 days/2 nights:

Day 1. Morning start to lake Baikal. A few stops on the way at Batutinsky female Monastery, Turtle Rock and shamanistic Oboo. Lunch on the way in local cafe at the shore of the lake. There can be stops on demand for picture, we’ll recommend you where the best to stop. By the end of the day the local family at the village will welcome to their home and treat you with home food. And of course you will try a real russian Banya, traditional steam sauna. LD

Day 2. Start in the morning to Zabaikalsky National Park. Every year it’s different and our experienced guides and local drivers will take you to the best sights. Drive on ice, visit Ice Grottos, have an open-air bath in thermal water! Lunch-picnic. BLD

Day 3. Free morning. Drive back to Ulan-Ude. BL

What’s important:

Itinerary “Ust-Barguzin WINTER” 4 days/3 nights:

Day 1. Morning start to lake Baikal. A few stops on the way at Batutinsky female Monastery, Turtle Rock and shamanistic Oboo. Lunch on the way in local cafe at the shore of the lake. There can be stops on demand for picture, we’ll recommend you where the best to stop. By the end of the day the local family at the village will welcome to their home and treat you with home food. And of course you will try a real russian Banya, traditional steam sauna. LD

Day 2. Start in the morning to Zabaikalsky National Park. Every year it’s different and our experienced guides and local drivers will take you to the best sights. Drive on ice, visit Ice Grottos, have an open-air bath in thermal water! Lunch-picnic. BLD

Day 3. Early start to Barguzin valley. Barguzin Valley tour takes the whole day of driving through the beautiful valley of 1000 rivers. A short walk on the streets of a very small and nice village, get a feel of Siberia. Stop at Barguzin town, the first Russian settlement at the lake, reveal story of Jewish people in Siberia. Enjoy a short hike to panoramic spot at the top of Suvo hills. Picnic or local home-cooked food for lunch. Drive back to Ust-Barguzin and overnight there at homestay. BLD

Day 4. Drive back to Ulan-Ude. BL

What’s important: Tour allows you to take your breath and enjoy your time exploring and having a cultural insight with family at homestay.